Introduction to the Book of Job
Consider My Servant
Job was a successful, respected family man of Uz, probably a terri-
tory "near the Syrian desert or in northern Arabia, and not far from
Edom."—SDA
Bible Dictionary,
p. 1120. Henry M. Morris suggests:
"The Book of Job may also be the oldest book in the Bible, with the
probable exception of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. There can, at
least, be no question about its setting in the patriarchal period, cer-
tainly before Moses and possibly even before Abraham."—The
Remark-
able Record of Job
(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1988), p. 12.
Morris thinks that the ancient Jewish tradition that regarded Moses
as the author should be taken seriously. As evidence, he cites the allu-
sions in Job to the Genesis account of Creation, the fall of mankind
into sin, and the Flood. Ellen G. White agrees. During Moses' 40 years
in Midian, "under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the book
of Genesis and also the book of Job."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 1140. (See also
Education,
p. 159.)
The major theme of the book is the control of God over the affairs
of the universe and specifically over the affairs of earth. Although the
suffering of innocent people is not fully explained, "the history of Job
had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by
God for purposes of mercy."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 471.
Five prominent truths are emphasized in Job: (1) Job's experience
illustrates that righteous people may suffer. (2) Job's greatest concern
was to reconcile his faith in God's supreme justice with his own unde-
served afflictions. How could a loving, just God allow it? (3) God de-
plores the notions that the righteous are always blessed and that suf-
fering is always the result of the sufferer's sin. (4) God is completely
just, even though in this life the wicked are often never punished and
the innocent often suffer. (5) Despite their suffering, human beings,
motivated by love, must surrender themselves entirely to God, be-
cause He is Lord. Job served God because he loved Him, not for pros-
perity or prestige.
The book of Job has five natural divisions:
I.
Prologue: The Drama Begins (Job 1,2).
II.
Job Seeks Understanding, and His Three Aged Friends Respond
(Job 3-31).
III.
Young Elihu Attempts to Answer for God (Job 32-37).
IV.
God speaks for Himself (Job 38-41).
V.
Conclusion: Job's Restoration (Job 42).
Check with your local Adventist Book Center
for the companion book to this quarter's Sab-
bath School lessons.
5